Construction unit



June 29, 1954 H. w. HOLMST ROM ETAL 2,682,236

I CONSTRUCTION UNIT Filed Aug. 16, 1951 3 Sheets-Sheet l w M M gm Hen rgZQfla/rmrimm =0: Ja/ziz AZ Badman BO: Ruhr/AZ Jam :0: INVEIY TOPJ. 0:

ATTD RN EYS June 29, 1954 H. w. HOLMSTROM ETAL $682 6 CONSTRUCTION UNITFiled Aug. 16, 1951 3 Sheet s-Sheet 2 P. a"; 7 fly- 6'. Al .57 40% KiATTCI RN EYE Patented June 29, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICECONSTRUCTION UNIT Henry W. Holmstrom, John A. Isaacson, and Robert A.Joss, Seattle, Wash.

Application August 16, 1951, Serial No. 242,054

11 Claims. 1

Our invention relates to a construction unit.

More particularly, our .invention relates to a construction unitespecially adapted for use in forming a roof or siding of a building.However, it is suitable for use in wall construction.

This application is a continuation-in-part of our application bearingSerial Number 764,868 filed July 30, 1947, now abandoned.

In using relatively thin and narrow metal sheets for roofing or siding,great difficulty arises in making weather tight joints. The inventionmust provide for expansion and contraction of the units when assembleddue to exposure to the heat of the sun and the cold weather during thedifferent seasons of the year. The securing of the units to the base,whether this be of wood or steel frame, all presents difficulties. Theexpansion and contraction works enlargement of the holes in the unitthrough which the nails or securing means pass, thereby permittingleaking in rainy weather unless provision is made to cover the same.Therefore, the forming of the joints must be characterized by affordingprotection against leaking and by being strong to resist strong winds.

The joints must be such that the parts of one unit must reinforce andassist the parts of the adjacent unit to remain securely anchored. Thisparticular cooperation of the units in reinforcing each other to preventunintentional removal as by a wind storm is most important. The holdingforce arising from the configuration or form of the edge portions mustbe such as to require a force to deform the configuration to release theparts of the joint of which force, the

direction must be other than normal or right angles to the frame towhich the units are secured. All this is more fully set forthhereinafter.

Moreover the installed units under the expansion due to the heat of thesun should all have the deformation of their faces more in the samedirection. Clearly, if the faces of some of the units were actuated intoa convex form and others into a concave form such would provide a veryobj ectionable appearance to the structure on which they were secured.Difficulties incident to such expansion must be overcome.

Strength at the joints must also be such as to support a scaffolding orplanking temporarily applied over the units of our invention, forexample, in climbing over the roof in reaching a chimney for repair orother repairing.

Moreover, great difficulty arises in providing a unit such that theconfiguration employed to form the joints is of simple character andsuch as to permit of a high degree of uniformity since the parts ofdifferent units must be caused to register with those of other units.

The primary purpose of our invention is to overcome all of these variousdifliculties set forth above as well as others inherent in the problem,and to provide a construction unit which is relatively simple ofconstruction, economical to manufacture, and eflicient.

Briefly stated, and therefore incompletely, our invention comprises aconstruction unit which has a first edge portion, i. e., the upper edgeas the unit is normally applied, which is bent upon itself to form aprojection having a spring-like construction, said projectioncorresponding to the upturned toe of a crow bar, so that in installingthe unit this projection can be inserted into a recess of a second edge,i. e., the lower edge as the unit is normally .applied, of the installedunit immediately above and the second or lower edge of the unit thenforced down through an arc lik the crow bar handle in moving the saidedge to anchoring position against the frame base. Such movement causesthe first edge portion to 0 become seated in forming a joint to securethe unit in place. Thereby, the outer face of the unit is placed under atension as it assumes a slight convex form when the bottom edge issecured and anchored by fastening means to the frame work. The springaction of the projection contributes to a tight, strong joint as thebottom edge is secured to the frame.

For definiteness and clearness of description and illustration, ourinvention will be described as applied to roofing and siding and this,as is normal, where the units extend horizontally.

The above-mentioned general objects of our invention, together withothers inherent in the same, are attained by the device illustrated inthe following drawings, the same being preferred exemplary forms ofembodiment of our invention, throughout which drawings like referencenumerals indicate like parts:

Figure l is a vertical sectional view through the roof of a buildingshowing the roofing panels of our invention;

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the panels as siding;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail view of the panels showing the securing andsealing structure;

Fig. 4 is a front view of the wedge receiving frame;

Fig. 5 is a sectional View at line 5--5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a horizontal sectional view showing the application of asquared outside corner panel;

Fig. 7 is a similar view showing a rounded outside corner panel;

Fig. 8 is a sectional view showing an ornamental inside corner panel;

Fig. 9 is a sectional view showing the application of guttering;

Fig. 10 is a sectional view of a modified securing structure;

Fig 11 is a sectional view of a further modified form;

Fig. 12 is an enlarged view showing one unit embodying our inventioninstalled and a second unit in the act of being applied;

Fig. 13 is a view in cross-section through the ridge of a roof and theinstallation of the first unit embodying our invention next to the ridgeor peak cap;

Fig. 14 is a view in cross-section of the closure member applied to theends of the units forming the roof;

Fig. 15 is a view of the construction when the units are installed on anold roofing;

Fig. 16 is a view in cross-section of the construction at a windowopening;

Fig. 17 is a view of a modified form of the construction at the bottomof the siding employing a molding partially extending into the recess ofthe bottom unit;

Fig. 18 is a view of a further modified form of the bottom of the sidingemploying a plain fiat rectangular finishing board; and.

Fig. 19 is a view in cross-section of the construction unit providedwith a supporting board.

Referring now to the drawings wherein we have illustrated the forms ofour invention, we have shown a building structure having a ridge pole 2carrying rafters 4 and secured by the metal strips 6. These strips areslotted at 8 and formed with central circular openings ID. The peakabove the ridge pole is enclosed by cap I2 having downwardly inclinedwalls M each of which at its lower edge portion curves in at 16 to formgrooves i8 and then in a compound curve is fashioned into the roundedribs and the adjoining groove 22. a

From this latter groove the cap is pressed or otherwise formed into arecess 24 connecting with the fiat flange 26 which is slotted to receivethe wedge 21 disclosed in Patent Number 2,154,-

570 or the wedge disclosed in Patent Number 4 When the cap has been thusaffixed the roofing and siding panels or units are positioned eachconsisting of the flat panel or unit 2'6 having an upper surface groovedat 30 to receive the rib 2|] 4 and ribbed at 32 to fit into the recess22 and also ribbed at 34 to fit into the recess 24. The fiat flange 36lies against the flange 26 but is not secured thereto. The lower edge ofthe panel is identical to the edge formation of the cap and thusstarting at the top each panel is successively applied by first engagingits first or upper edge portion I00, Fig. 12, to the unit above and thensecuring its lower edge portion llll to the strips 6. The interlockingribbed and recessed portions of the panels are preferably covered with asealing mastic compound, and, if desired, the panel structure mayinclude an insulating board 38 suitably adhered to the panel.

As one form or method of applying the lowermost siding panel 4i), it maybe provided with a spring flange 42 to receive a preformed molding 44 togive a finished appearance to the panelling. Or any suitable molding orfinishing strip 44a may be secured over the bottom edge as shown in Fig.1'7. For a more simple construction a simple rectangular finishing stripor base board 44b could be used as shown in Fig. 18.

In Figs. 6 and '7 we have shown the framing to which are secured bywedges 46, clips 48 having rectangular channels 50 to receive insulationboard 52, and the spring flanges 54 receive and retain the square cornerpiece 56 or the round corner piece 58 which are provided with integralflanges 60 having ribs 62 engaging therewith. An inside corner plate 64is bent into a reverse U- shape forming tongue 66 and groove 63 intowhich groove plaster is keyed when applied to the wall.

Fig. 8 shows a floor molding 19 having the upper reversed U-shapedformation forming tongue I2 and groove 14 to receive and retain the wallplaster while the lower U-formation effects a rib 1'6 and recess 18 intowhich recess the flooring is secured.

Fig. 9 illustrates the manner of securing the eaves trough 88 to thestudding 82 and floor joists 84 by wedges 46, and the lower edge of thetrough is identical to the described structure of the panels to receiveand seal the uppermost panel of a wall where the form shown in Fig. 3 isemployed.

Figs. 10 and 11 show modified forms of the locking structure for thepanels and in Fig. 10 the lower end of the panel is recessed at 86 and88 to receive the upper rounded top edge 90 of the lower panel, the nose92 occupying only a portion of the latter recess which, if desired, maybe filled with a mastic or sealing compound.

Fig. 11 shows a further modified and preferred form of locking structurewhere the second or lower edge portion ml of the panel sheet orconstruction unit is bent substantially at right angles to andoppositely with respect to the outer face of the unit into a nose orrounded projection 34 and a recess 96 forming a configuration similar tothat of the first or upper edge portion of the next lower panel whichhas an angularly disposed rounded projection 98 snugly fitting into therecess and when the lower edge portion In! is pressed toward the wall,retained and anchored in locked position. The ridge peak cap l2a hasinclined walls Ma, each of which has its lower edge portion providedwith a configuration and form corresponding to the lower edge portionHll of construction unit of the preferred form of Fig. 11.

This preferred form will now be described in more detail:

Referring particularly to Fig. 12 where two complete units A and B areillustrated, the construction unit as to edge portion [Eli] is bent uponitself to form a rounded projection 28 with the walls of the unit inspaced relation, thereby providing a. projection, the axis WX of whichis angularly disposed and upwardly projecting. as respects the axis YZof the construction unit.

The fiange N2 of the first edge portion I00 is preferably angularlydisposed to the plane of the face of the sheet, thereby providing aspring action when the first edge portion or bottom edge iill of thesheet is forced back against the wall face in being positioned andsecured to the face of the wall, thereby placing the outer face Hi3 ofthe unit under tension or into a slightly convex form.

The second or bottom edge portion HE! is turned substantially at rightangles to the plane of the face of the unit, or is normally disposedthereto, and then continues in a configuration conforming to that of theupper edge I to form a recess 96 into which the upper edge I09 in theform of projection 96 of the next succeeding unit may enter and thewalls of the two be in registration.

It will be noted that this lower edge portion IOI extends beneath thelower portion of the face I03 of the unit and extends beyond the faceI93. that is, beyond the portion of the face I03 which is bent at rightangles, to provide a securing flange I04 to receive securing means,either nails or other fastening means 46, such as that provided in ourPatent Number 2,154,579 granted April 18, 1939, and Patent Number2,508,066 granted May 16, 1950. Thus, the securing means as 46 iscovered and protected against exposure to the weather.

The ends of the construction units 28' are shown provided with a closurein Fig. 14 where new construction is involved. This closure comprises astrip I96 with a portion extending below roof boards I0? in order toprovide for rain beating against the outer face I00 of strip I06 to dripoff of the bent portion I09. The upper part of strip I06 has a bentportion III] registering with a corresponding registering bent portionIII of strip H2 which has a right angle flange [I3 to make contact andride upon portions of the construction units. These strips I06 and I I2will extend from the ridge pole to the eaves troughs and from the eavestroughs to the foundation. Strip or cap I I2 is secured to strip I06 bymeans of fastening means I I9 preferably of wedge form. The flange II3may slide back and forth due to expansion upon the units 20. Thisarrangement will leave a small V-shaped opening above the upper portionof each construction unit. This will provide for an indirect circulationof air.

Fig. 15 is a view for closing the end of the construction units 26, inall respects like that shown in Fig. 14, only in this case theconstruction involves application of the construction unit of ourinvention to old roofing H6.

In Fig. 16 the same construction of closure means as disclosed in Figs.14 and 15 is shown as applied to the construction about a window openingwhere the strip I06 is held against the outside casing H6.

If desired, the construction unit of our invention may be placed over asupporting board I with or without mastic or other securing meanswhatsoever. If mastic or other securing means is employed thenpreferably the same is applied only along the upper and lower edgesseeFig. 19. Thus the central portion is free to absorb expansion forces byarching as heretofore set forth, and the supporting board functions alsoto dampen noise incident to the use of metal in construction units. Theform of the joints also functions, by reason of its spring action, tolessen such noise. The construction of the joints of our invention issuch as to cause the parts of one construction unit to reinforce andassist the parts of the adjacent unit to remain securely anchored, andthereby prevent removal in case of a severe wind storm. The forcenecessary for the removal of the unit of our invention is not that atright angles to the roof or wall. In order to remove or unjoint theconstruction unit the force must be directed substantially parallel tothe face and this simultaneously with the swinging up of the lower edgeportion. In other words, it must be the reverse of the movement of theparts in installing. Thus is evident the firm anchoring provided by thejoints of our invention. Any force directed at right angles to the faceI03 of the construction unit of our invention operates to augment thelocking action of the joints and make the parts cooperate with thejoint-forming parts of the adjacent units in resisting dislodgement.This is brought out clearly by referring to Fig. 12. Any outwardmovement of the face I03 of the construction unit causes it to bindtightly upon the projection portion 95 of the upper adjacent unit andsuch force tends to make the lower edge bind tightly upon the projectionportion 98 of the next lower unit. Since the flange I04 is anchored tothe wall at the joint by securing means it is manifest now great must bethe magnitude of force to unseat the installed units, the securing meansin conjunction with the joint parts all cooperating to make the samefast. Fig. 12 illustrates the construction when no supporting board isemployed.

Mode of operation Referring to Fig. 12 where two complete units A and Bare illustrated, it will be noted that the upper unit A is secured inposition. We will now describe the securing of such a unit in position.The lower unit B is shown in Fig. 12 in the act of being applied. Theprojection 98 of unit B is slipped under the nose 94 of the unit A andthen force is applied to the lower portion of unit B and it is forceddown, i, e., back to the wall in the direction of the arrow. In sodoing, there is a prying action against the portion 98 of unit A and theangular disposition of the projection 98 of the upper edge I forms aspring which causes the projection 98 to fit snugly within the recess96. As the prying action proceeds in forcing the lower edge portion intoposition against the wall, an outwardly bowing tension is imposed uponthe face I03 of unit B. When the securing flange I0 3 of unit B isforced against the wall, it is secured by a nail or other securing means46. Thus, it will be noted that the face of the unit is under anoutwardly directed tension and any heating of the sun which becomessuflicient to cause expansion will cause the face I03 to uniformlyextend outwardly rather than inwardly towards the roof or side of thebuilding, thereby making the whole construction of the roof or siding ofa uniform character in appearance and in reflecting light. In this waythe expansion and contraction of the metal is provided for in largemeasure. The construction unit initially may be formed with a slightconvex face if desired, thereby augmenting such convex or arching form.Such arching greatly strengthens the unit and functions to preventdeformation as well as otherwise. Also, there is the further provisionfor absorbing expansion forces made by the bending at right angles ofthe lower edge portion in forming the nose or rounded projection 94 sothat if extreme heat is applied the sheet may not only arch as to itsface but it may extend downwardly.

The registering of the projection 98 on the upper edge of theconstruction unit with the recess 96 forms a reinforced joint structureof exceedingly great strength even though the metal of the unit itselfis of relatively very thin and fiexible material. By our invention themetal is provided in four-fold form at the joint and provides for asupport for any ladder or any structure that may be placed over the roofin seeking to reach a chimney or other like structure, or for any repairthat may be involved.

Particularly be it noted that the structural unit of our invention isapplied from the ridgepole downwardly to the eaves, directly contrary tothe shingle laying, or other roofing or'siding methods of commonpractice.

The material forming the construction unit of our invention may be ofany suitable material. Presently aluminum is preferred of the metals.

From the above it will be seen that our invention is applicable to newstructures and to old structures and provides an eificient constructionunit with exceptional advantages.

We claim:

1. A roof-siding construction unit comprising a relatively narrow striphaving an inner and outer face and first longitudinal edge portion bentcross sectionally considered in spaced relation upon itself forming arounded projection lip-- wardly angularly disposed with respect to theouter face of the unit, the said first edge portion being bent beneathand extending rectilinearly beyond said projection; and a second edgeportion longitudinally paralleling said first edge portion bentsubstantially at right angles to and oppositely with respect to thegeneral plane of the outer face of the unit in forming a projectionbeneath and continuing in a curve beneath the inner face which matchesthe configuration of said first edge portion with the second edgeportion extending beyond the face of the unit in forming a securinganchoring means.

2. A roof-siding construction unit comprising a relatively narrow striphaving a first longitudinal edge portion bent cross sectionallyconsidered in spaced relation upon itself forming a rounded projectionangularly disposed with respect to and extending above the outer face ofthe unit, said first edge portion being bent beneath and extendingrectilinearly beyond said projection; and a second edge portionparalleling said first edge portion bent substantially at right anglesto and oppositely with respect to the outer face of the unit in forminga projection beneath and continuing in a curve beneath the inner face ina configuration conforming to that of the first edge portion with thesecond edge portion extending beyond the face of the unit in forming asecuring anchoring means.

3. A roof-siding construction unit comprising a relatively narrow striphaving a first longitudinal edge portion bent cross sectionallyconsidered in spaced relation upon itself forming a rounded projectionangularly disposed with respect to and extending above the outer face ofthe unit, said first edge portion being bent beneath and extendingrectilinearly beyond said projection in forming a spring portion; and asecond edge portion paralleling said first edge portion bentsubstantially at right angles to and oppositely with respect to theouter face of the unit in forming a projection beneath and continuing ina curve beneath the inner face in a configuration conforming to that ofthe first edge portion with the second edge portion extending beyond theface of the unit in forming a securing anchoring means.

4. A roof-siding construction unit comprising a relatively narrow striphaving a first longitudinal edge portion bent cross sectionallyconsidered in spaced relation upon itself forming a rounded projectionangularly disposed with respect to and extending above the outer face ofthe unit, said first edge portion being bent beneath and extendingrectilinearly beyond said projection in a generally diverging directionwith respect to the face in forming a spring portion; and a second edgeportion paralleling said first edge portion bent substantially at rightangles to and oppositely with respect to the outer face of the unit informing a projection beneath and continuing in a curve beneath the innerface in a configuration conforming to that of the first edge portionwith the second edge portion extending beyond the face of the unit informing a securing anchoring means.

5. A roof-siding construction unit comprising a relatively narrow striphaving a first longitudinal edge portion bent cross sectionallyconsidered in spaced relation upon itself forming a rounded projectionangularly disposed with respect to and extending above the outer face ofconvex form of the unit, said first edge portion being bent beneath andextending rectilinearly beyond said projection; and a second edgeportion paralleling said first edge portion bent substantially at rightangles to and oppositely with respect to the outer convex face of theunit in forming a projection beneath and continuing in a curve beneaththe inner face in a configuration conforming to that of the first edgeportion with the second edge portion extending beyond the face of theunit in forming a securing anchoring means which anchoring means impartsa convex form to the face of the unit.

6. A roof-siding construction unit comprising a relatively narrow striphaving a first longitudinal edge portion bent cross sectionallyconsidered in spaced relation upon itself forming a rounded projectionangularly disposed with respect to and extending above the outer face ofa convex form of the unit, said first edge portion being bent beneathand extending rectilinearly beyond said projection in forming a springportion; and a second edge portion paralleling said first edge portionbent substantially at right angles to and oppositely with respect to theouter convex face of the unit and forming a projection beneath andcontinuing in a curve beneath the inner face in a configurationconforming to that of the first edge portion with the second edgeportion extending beyond the face of the unit in forming a securinganchoring means which anchoring means imparts a convex form to the faceof the unit.

'7. In a building construction, a plurality of panels interlockedtogether, each of said panels being provided with a groove on its upperfront face, a first rib arranged on the upper frontal corner of saidpanel, a first flat flange extending downwardly from the lower rear sideof the panel and being arranged substantially parallel to the panel andspaced therefrom, a second rib at the lower rear corner of said panel,spaced from said flange and providing a recess therebetween, said recessadapted to receive the first-named rib on said upper frontal corner of alower panel and said second rib adapted to seat in said first-mentionedgroove.

8. A roofing-siding construction unit comprising an elongated sheet ofresilient material having an upper and lower edge and outer and innerfaces, said sheet along the upper longitudinal edge thereof terminatingin an upwardly, as respects the outer face, and outwardly rounded noseportion having the terminal edge thereof downwardly and rearwardlyturned to form a resilient bearing seat, the lower longitudinal edge ofsaid sheet being turned upon itself in spaced relation to form a recesscomplemental to said nose portion and having the terminal edge thereofrearwardly and downwardly turned to form an attachment flange.

9. A roofing-siding construction unit comprising an elongated sheet ofresilient material having an upper and lower edge and outer and innerfaces, said sheet along the upper longitudinal edge thereof terminatingin an upwardly, as respects the outer face, rounded nose portion havingits walls in spaced relation and having the terminal edge thereofdownwardly and rearwardly turned to form a resilient bearing seat, thelower longitudinal edge of said sheet being turned upon itself in spacedrelation to form a recess complemental to said nose portion and havingthe terminal edge thereof rearwardly and downwardly turned to form anattachment flange.

10. A roofing-siding construction unit comprising an elongated sheet ofresilient material having an upper and lower edge and outer and innerfaces, said sheet along the upper longitudinal edge thereof terminatingin an upwardly, as respects the outer face, and outwardly rounded noseportion having the terminal edge thereof downwardly and rearwardlyturned to form a resilient bearing seat, the lower longitudinal edge ofsaid sheet being normalaway from the outer face and turned upon itselfin spaced relation to form a recess complemental to said nose portionand having the terminal edge thereof rearwardly and downwardly turned toform an attachment flange.

11. A structure comprising a plurality of interlocked panels havingupper and lower edge portions and outer and inner faces, each of saidpanels having its upper edge portion bent in forming a spaced apartwalled projection extending upwardly as respects the outer face with therearward Wall extending backwardly beneath said projection towards saidlower edge portion in forming a resilient bearing to said projection;and said lower edge portion bent in forming a recess beneath said innerface of like close fitting configuration to said projection of the upperedge portion and attached to said panel by a portion extendingsubstantially at right angles to said outer face, in which recess isreceived the projection of the adjacent lower panel whereby in assembledform the outer face is placed under tension.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 1,009,468 Burrowes Nov. 21, 1911 1,963,583 Jenkins June 19,1934 1,976,968 Sheldon Oct. 16, 1934 2,433,387 Adams Nov. 22, 1949

